The Citizen and the Snakes: Lesson plan

STORY OVERVIEW

Title: The Citizen and the Snakes
Moral/Theme: When faced with failure, it's important to take action in any way possible, even if it's not what you initially intended.
Plot Summary: A dejected Citizen, after failing to secure a National political convention for his city, inadvertently breaks a druggist's window and releases a hundred and fifty snakes into the street. This incident leads him to realize the importance of taking action, even when circumstances seem dire.
Key Characters:
- The Citizen: Represents the struggle of dealing with failure and the importance of taking initiative.
- The Snakes: Symbolize unforeseen challenges that arise when one is already down.

Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the theme of resilience in the face of failure.
- Students will analyze character motivations and their significance in the story.
- Students will reflect on personal experiences related to overcoming challenges.
- Students will discuss the implications of taking action even when outcomes are uncertain.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does the Citizen's reaction to his failure teach us about resilience?
2. How can unexpected situations (like the snakes escaping) lead to new opportunities?
3. In what ways can we apply the moral of this story to our own lives?
Required Materials:
- Copies of "The Citizen and the Snakes"
- Whiteboard and markers
- Paper for notes

Opening Hook (5 min):
- Begin with a brief discussion on failure. Ask students to share a time they faced failure and what they did afterward. Relate this to the moral of the story.
Story Exploration (15-20 min):
- Read "The Citizen and the Snakes" aloud.
- After reading, discuss the plot and characters. Highlight key moments that illustrate the theme of resilience.
Analysis Exercises (15 min):
- Divide students into small groups. Assign each group to analyze a character's decision-making process and how it relates to the moral of the story.
- Groups will share their findings with the class.
Application/Reflection (10 min):
- Have students write a short paragraph reflecting on a time they took action after a failure. Encourage them to connect their experience to the story's moral.
Assessment Strategy (5 min):
- Conduct a quick quiz or exit ticket where students summarize the moral of the story and provide an example from their own lives.

Extension Activities:
- Create a visual representation (e.g., a poster) illustrating the moral of the story.
- Write a short story inspired by "The Citizen and the Snakes" where a different